Parents of talented young musicians in Perth and Kinross have said plans to increase music tuition fees could put “their entire existence under threat”.

In a letter signed by Andrew Mitchell (Perth and Kinross Music Foundation), Joan Hay (Young Musicians’ Parents Association) and Hilary Whittaker and Susannah Rae from Perth Youth Orchestra, the parents have slammed Perth and Kinross Council’s plans to increase music fees as “completely unacceptable”.

The proposal, which was rubberstamped at a council meeting in February, will see fees rise by 20 per cent in August, and 60 per cent over three years.

In the letter, the trio say parents are in for a “huge shock” when their bills come through.

They add: “Such an unexpected increase in a utility bill at short notice would be deemed completely unacceptable, yet Perth and Kinross Council have seen fit to force this increase on unsuspecting families.

“At a meeting this week with representatives from local music organisations, Perth and Kinross representatives confirmed that the 20 per cent increase was the highest fee hike being applied within any area of Perth and Kinross Council and no other part of the service was facing such a large increase.”

The letter goes on to say lower-income families may be forced to abandon learning an instrument, and this could threaten the existence of the region’s orchestras, bands, choirs and yearly music camps.

It continued: “Once the full 60 per cent increase is applied, school lessons (where children are often taught in pairs or small groups) will cost almost as much as a private lesson. This will almost certainly affect uptake amongst families who will struggle to pay.

“The result of this increase is that children of those parents who can afford private lessons may switch to those, and children who are from lower income families yet not entitled to free lessons, may not be able to afford this increase.

The letter slams the decision by Perth and Kinross Council

“This could decimate the instrumental music service as, if they cannot sustain enough pupils, their entire existence is under threat and orchestras, bands, choirs, ensembles and music camps may be a thing of the past. Such a pity during the 50th anniversary year of central groups.”

The letter also explores the “rich benefits” learning a musical instrument can have for a child and says “music provision should be a priority in all regions and parental income should never be the factor that decides whether or not children can take part”.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Perth and Kinross Council has no plans to reduce any aspect of the instrumental music service within the local area.

“Additional funding to support this service was provided in the local authority’s budget on a non-recurring basis. This money will be used to help extend the reach of the service further than at present.

“Any savings or changes to charges for services are considered by elected members as part of the statutory budget setting process. The decision to increase the fees for the instrumental music service, after a five-year period where there were no increases, was taken at Perth and Kinross Council’s full council meeting in February 2018.

“The local authority has recently met with parent representatives to discuss this matter.”